Objective: Depression is associated with increased risk for obesity and worse weight loss treatment outcomes. The purpose of the present study was to test the hypothesis that delivering evidence-based behavior therapy for depression before a lifestyle weight loss intervention improves both weight loss and depression.

Design: In a randomized controlled trial, obese women with major depressive disorder (N=161, mean age=45.9 (s.d.: 10.8) years) were randomized to brief behavior therapy for depression treatment followed by a lifestyle intervention (BA) or a lifestyle intervention only (LI). Follow-up occurred at 6 and 12 months. Main outcome measures included weight loss and depression symptoms.

Conclusion: Adding behavior therapy to a lifestyle intervention results in greater depression remission but does not improve weight loss within 1 year. Improvement in depression is associated with greater weight loss.

Mentions:
Detailed design and methods information has been published elsewhere.[16] Briefly, obese women (BMI 30–40 kg/m2) with major depressive disorder between ages 21–65 years were recruited (July 2007-March 2010) from the community and primary care population at the University of Massachusetts Medical School. The CONSORT diagram in Figure 1 shows participant flow through the study. The Institutional Review Board approved study protocol. Exclusion criteria included currently smoking, bipolar disorder, psychotic disorder, bulimia, post-traumatic stress disorder, type 1 or 2 diabetes, or medications that affect weight. The most common exclusion medications were tricyclic antidepressants and mood stabilizers.

Mentions:
Detailed design and methods information has been published elsewhere.[16] Briefly, obese women (BMI 30–40 kg/m2) with major depressive disorder between ages 21–65 years were recruited (July 2007-March 2010) from the community and primary care population at the University of Massachusetts Medical School. The CONSORT diagram in Figure 1 shows participant flow through the study. The Institutional Review Board approved study protocol. Exclusion criteria included currently smoking, bipolar disorder, psychotic disorder, bulimia, post-traumatic stress disorder, type 1 or 2 diabetes, or medications that affect weight. The most common exclusion medications were tricyclic antidepressants and mood stabilizers.

Objective: Depression is associated with increased risk for obesity and worse weight loss treatment outcomes. The purpose of the present study was to test the hypothesis that delivering evidence-based behavior therapy for depression before a lifestyle weight loss intervention improves both weight loss and depression.

Design: In a randomized controlled trial, obese women with major depressive disorder (N=161, mean age=45.9 (s.d.: 10.8) years) were randomized to brief behavior therapy for depression treatment followed by a lifestyle intervention (BA) or a lifestyle intervention only (LI). Follow-up occurred at 6 and 12 months. Main outcome measures included weight loss and depression symptoms.

Conclusion: Adding behavior therapy to a lifestyle intervention results in greater depression remission but does not improve weight loss within 1 year. Improvement in depression is associated with greater weight loss.